we talked to richard engel last night and we discussed areas where the al-qaeda-linked areas are trying to take over. they are trying to topple the government there. the french went in this weekend, then the french said on monday they were sending in even more troops. the u.s. had reportedly thought the french were going it alone. but on tuesday, a whole bunch of african countries said they, too, would send help. it was togo, ghana, and senegal, all sending troops. at the same time algeria said they would let them use air space. today, it is now an attack, a major hostage situation involving civilians from a bunch of other countries, civilians including americans. it happened in algeria, three americans and others were taken at a natural gas facility partly owned by bp. they were from ireland, canada, and france. the natural gas facility was here in a remote area of northeastern algeria, the group claiming responsibility says it was retaliation for them using air space in mali. he has reportedly struck out on his own now. according to the algerian government, the hostage-takers were tra